Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also a licensed culvert years.
• </c><01:45:18.320><c> repairs</c> engineer for culvert repairs engineer for culvert repairs uh<01:45:
• If their culverts fail, they have the potential to destroy the town's newly installed culverts.
• ,</c> road, we have an $800 plus,000 culvert, road, we have an $800 plus,000 culvert, classics<01:54:
• </c> culvert at $800,000. culvert at $800,000.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These cannot be replaced.
• These are areas where my people live, gather, hunt, practice our faith, These cannot be replaced.
• And what I've seen personally is the fish culvert projects are a perfect example of how a tribe says,
• The fish culvert projects are a perfect example of how a tribe says, we need this for cultural reasons

Bills: HB2514, HB2551, HB2236, HB2470

Keywords: HB 2514, global war on terror, GWOT, war on terror memorial, Capitol campus memorial, Washington veterans, fallen service members, military memorial, post-9/11 veterans, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, veterans memorial, capitol grounds, state memorial, Secretary of State, Capitol Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee heard several bills. Substitute House Bill 2281 would require state agencies to consult with tribes before actions affecting tribal traditional cultural places and, under the substitute, would prohibit undue burdens on tribal traditional cultural practices unless justified by a compelling state interest and least restrictive means. Supporters, including tribal representatives, said the bill would better protect sacred sites and give tribes an enforceable remedy; an industry representative asked for narrower, clearer language. House Bill 2514 would create a work group to plan a Global War on Terror memorial on the Capitol campus, including names to honor, site options, design, and funding; the sponsor said it would help turn an existing authorization into a concrete plan and fundraising path. House Bill 2551 would let school districts with ending fund balances at or below 3% seek OSPI approval to sell real property to restore financial stability and avoid binding conditions, with rules to ensure transparency and limit use to once every five years. The Tacoma School District supported the bill as a tool to manage severe budget pressure, while a committee member raised concerns about possible effects on local land use and gentrification. Substitute House Bill 2668 would direct Fish and Wildlife to identify alternate locations for the Bob Oake Game Farm and seek future capital funding to relocate and remediate the current site because of nitrate contamination affecting the Centralia area aquifer. Centralia officials, county public health, and tribal representatives said relocation is needed to protect drinking water and avoid much larger future treatment costs, while noting the farm should continue operating elsewhere. The committee also took executive action on the proposed substitute for House Bill 2470, which would increase school construction assistance for projects on military bases by adding 15% to the state match. Supporters said military families need safe, quality school facilities; one member voted no, citing concerns about federal responsibility and the bill’s relationship to school district financial pressures. The substitute passed the committee 15-1, with three excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• That doesn't fully even replace our needs at Sea-Tac, but it really helps to stem the tide.
• About 40 drainage culverts were plugged and in bad shape.
• We were able to unplug the cross culverts.
• But we can only replace in kind under these emergencies, and we're going to get to do it again.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on January 20, 2006, for two work sessions: one on aircraft fuel pipeline resiliency after the Olympic Pipeline outage and one on flooding impacts to the state highway system. On the fuel topic, BP/Olympic Pipeline, the Port of Seattle, Alaska Airlines, and a renewable fuels consultant described the pipeline system, the Everett leak, and the response to keep Sea-Tac supplied. Witnesses said the leak was very small and below the pipeline’s detection threshold, prompting questions from senators about why a farmer found it first and whether the monitoring systems were adequate. BP described the pipeline’s operations, inspections, emergency response, and cleanup, while the Port and Alaska Airlines explained how they expanded truck offloading, issued notices to airlines, reduced fuel use, and diverted flights to preserve supply. The renewable fuels presentation argued that Washington’s dependence on a few pipeline routes creates a major vulnerability and that regional sustainable aviation fuel production and additional storage and delivery options could improve resilience. Committee members pressed witnesses on leak detection, the amount released, pipeline pressure, and the need for better safeguards near waterways and farmland. BP said the release volume would be determined later through soil and recovery calculations, and that both lines remained operational through the flooding that followed the spill. Port and airline representatives said the outage exposed a lack of redundancy and that Sea-Tac cannot meet daily fuel demand by truck alone, though emergency trucking and airline conservation helped avoid worse disruptions. The Port said it was studying additional fueling capacity and resilience measures, including sustainable aviation fuel infrastructure. The second work session focused on WSDOT’s response to major flooding and storm damage. WSDOT emergency management staff and regional administrators described statewide preparedness, emergency operations center activations, and the use of emergency declarations to speed repairs and contracting. They reported about 50 damaged sites, 16 emergency contracts, and a preliminary damage estimate of $40 million to $50 million, with federal reimbursement still being assessed. Specific examples included emergency repairs on US 2, I-90, SR 12, SR 410, SR 542, and US 101, with some roads reopened quickly through temporary stabilization and others requiring later permanent work. Senators thanked WSDOT crews and asked about the 30-working-day emergency contracting limit, federal funding, and whether emergency repair authority could be used to speed ordinary projects; WSDOT said the main delays in normal projects are environmental review and engineering requirements. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That doesn't fully even replace our needs at Sea-Tac, but it really helps to stem the tide.
• About 40 drainage culverts were plugged and in bad shape.
• We were able to unplug the cross culverts.
• But we can only replace in kind under these emergencies, and we're going to get to do it again.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on January 20, 2006, for two work sessions focused first on aircraft fuel pipeline resiliency and then on flooding impacts to the state highway system. On the fuel topic, BP and Olympic Pipeline described the pipeline system serving Washington and Oregon, its regulatory oversight, inspection and leak-detection programs, and the November 11 Mile Post 78 release near Everett. Witnesses said the leak was initially too small for the system to detect, was found by a farm worker, and led to shutdowns, excavation, soil removal, and repairs while the site later faced flooding that complicated access but did not stop both lines from remaining operational. Committee members questioned why the leak was not detected sooner, how much fuel was released, and what safeguards exist for future environmental protection. BP also described emergency response and recovery efforts, including trucked fuel deliveries to Sea-Tac and coordination with refineries and Canadian partners. The Port of Seattle and Alaska Airlines explained the airport response, including expanded truck offloading capacity, fire and police support, communication with airlines and other airports, reduced fuel use, and the impact on flights. Tim Zenk of Earth Finance argued that Washington’s fuel system lacks redundancy and that regional renewable fuels production and storage, including sustainable aviation fuel, could improve resilience; he suggested a regional goal of producing at least 33% of fuels locally. The committee then heard from WSDOT on the December flooding and storm damage. Emergency manager John Hemel and Olympic Regional Administrator Steve Rourke described statewide emergency operations, use of WebEOC tracking, and efforts to secure FEMA and FHWA funding. They said the state EOC was activated for 10 days, four regional EOCs were activated, and more than 100 sites were impacted. WSDOT reported roughly 50 emergency work sites, about 16 emergency contracts, and a preliminary damage estimate of $40 million to $50 million. They reviewed major repairs on US 2, I-90, SR 12, SR 410, SR 542, and US 101, noting that some roads reopened quickly with temporary fixes while others would require later permanent work and environmental permitting. Members asked about the 30-working-day emergency contracting authority, federal reimbursement, and whether emergency response contracting methods could be used to speed ordinary projects. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• number of attempts to repair the vehicle, the defects continue to exist, the consumer may request replacement
• district chooses to reduce its overall fleet of student transportation vehicles by foregoing vehicle replacement

Bills: HB2689, SB5832, SB5922, SB5944, SB5988, SB6151

Keywords: Working Connections Child Care, child care subsidy, subsidized child care, Washington DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, low-income families, child care providers, licensed child care centers, family child care, market rate survey, subsidy rates, income eligibility, state median income, SNAP, Basic Food, collective bargaining, provider reimbursement, daily payment, half-day care, partial-day care

Transcript Highlights:

• Because from my quick perusal, it seems I only requested funding to replace vehicles. Mr.
• Department of Transportation to distribute to the City of Williams for the Rodeo Road pavement replacement
• Department of Transportation to distribute to the City of Williams for the Rodeo Road pavement replacement
• between light rail and autonomous or semi-autonomous transit vehicles, long-term maintenance and replacement

Bills: SB1088, SB1156, SB1157, SB1169, SB1245, SB1273, SB1330, SB1332, SB1391, SB1498, SB1531, SB1550, SB1598, SB1677, SB1707, SB1811, SB1818

Keywords: cybersecurity, homeland security, artificial intelligence, state appropriation, VPN security, zero trust, appropriation, public safety, detention, unauthorized aliens, local government funding, border security, fencing, appropriations, southern border, local government, medical education, physician shortage, healthcare funding, Arizona health care

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, replace line 31 on page two with the following, and in your packets, members.
• issuance of a warrant or indictment of an inmate in its physical custody and to further provide also replace
• on page two, subsection three, if the inmate is still in the physical custody of the... and then replace
• &gt;&gt; Uh<00:05:22.080><c> replace</c><00:05:22.400><c> line</c><00:05:22.720><c> 31</c><00:05:23.120
• >> Yes, sir. >> The amendment would replace, on line 18 of page one, the words relating to retirement

Bills: HB304, HB285, HB312, HB311, SB60

Keywords: impoundment, driver licenses, vehicle redemption, local identification cards, law enforcement, HB285, TJ's Law, traffic infraction, traffic ticket, uniform traffic ticket and complaint, minor driver, juvenile driver, parent notification, guardian notification, emergency contact, citing agency, traffic citation, driver safety, youth safety, Alabama traffic law

Bills: S0062, S0156, S0168, S0288, S0290, S0292, S0296, S0298, S0364, S0386, S0624, S7004, S7006, S7008, S7012, S7014, S7016

Keywords: candidate qualification, political party, voter registration, election law, Florida Statutes, rural electric cooperatives, energy production, Florida law, energy tariffs, regulation, agriculture, landscape equipment, gasoline-powered, ecologically significant parcels, local government regulations, public records, appellate courts, information exemption, safety, personal identifying information

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and considered a long agenda of bills, many of which were reported favorably. Early action included CS for SB 62 on candidate qualification, which would create an enforcement mechanism for party-affiliation qualification requirements, and CS for SB 156, the Officer Jason Raynor Act, which would clarify resistance-to-officer language and add mandatory life imprisonment for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer. SB 156 drew strong support from the City of Daytona Beach and law enforcement groups, while the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers opposed parts of the bill, arguing it removed useful limits on force and imposed overly rigid sentencing. The committee also approved several open-government sunset review bills, including measures extending exemptions for social media platform investigations, small business loan program records, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles investigatory records, emergency shelter recipient information, Department of Military Affairs records, conviction integrity unit reinvestigation information, Public Service Commission records and meetings, and Florida Gaming Control Commission records and meetings. The committee also advanced CS for SB 624, allowing batterers’ intervention programs to offer optional faith-based activities, with supporters saying faith-based counseling can help reduce domestic violence and no participant would be required to take part. Other approved measures included HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands, which limits certain liability claims if notice and survey requirements are met; CS for SB 48 on housing, which requires local governments to allow accessory dwelling units and was amended to remove hearing and variance requirements and clarify local ordinance obligations; SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, described as a negotiated glitch bill preserving co-op authority over generation and power purchases; and CS for SB 364 on public accountancy, which creates additional CPA licensure pathways and mobility provisions. The committee also approved SB 292 creating a public records exemption for appellate court clerks and their families, despite some opposition votes. Later, the committee passed CS for SB 296 and CS for SB 298, which expand protections for victims of domestic violence and dating violence by creating a feasibility study for a secure web-based 911 alert platform and extending address confidentiality and public records protections to dating violence, stalking, and aggravated stalking victims. SB 386 on farm equipment, described as a “lemon law” for tractors and similar equipment, also passed. Additional open-government bills were approved for emergency shelter recipients, military affairs records, conviction integrity unit materials, PSC records, and gaming commission records. SB 168 on public nuisances was reported favorably as well. One bill, CS for CS for SB 290 on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, was temporarily postponed after extensive stakeholder testimony; the chair allowed public comment but no vote was taken, and the sponsor indicated ongoing discussions and possible changes. At the end of the meeting, senators recorded several individual votes for the record, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Replace line 37 on page two with the following: the canvas and board of each county...
• Replace lines 58-62 on page three with the following: the post-election audit shall be conducted and
• Replace lines 97 through 102 on page four with the following: audit by manual tally or by use of ballot
• It will allow us to get these replacement beds there, and please keep in mind these are not new beds;
• these are simply replacement beds for those that have been or shall be closed down. have been or shall

Bills: HB30, HB263, HB357, HB359, SB60, SB102, HB30

Keywords: elections, post-election audit, election audit, risk-limiting audit, ballot audit, election integrity, voter confidence, Secretary of State, judge of probate, canvassing board, poll watchers, ballot containers, manual tally, recount, county election, statewide election, general election, absentee ballots, provisional ballots, election transparency

Bills: SB9, SB1047, SB1048, SJR17, SJR49, SB40, SJR1, SJR5, SB 9, SB 40, SJR 1

Keywords: bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, criminal procedure, public safety report, victim notification, family violence, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunction, taxpayer rights, violent crimes, sexual offenses, community safety, constitutional amendment, trafficking

Bills: SB9, SB1047, SB1048, SJR17, SJR49, SB40, SJR1, SJR5, SB 9, SB 40, SJR 1

Keywords: bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, criminal procedure, public safety report, victim notification, family violence, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunction, taxpayer rights, violent crimes, sexual offenses, community safety, constitutional amendment, trafficking

Transcript Highlights:

• Thirty-three bridges are currently in need of replacement, and another 80 are projected to need replacement
• them, but we really don't have money to replace the buildings either.
• Thank you. ...to replace the buildings, but we really don't have money to replace the buildings either
• the culverts.
• The work is necessary to replace a 108-year-old bridge across the river.

Bills: SB5989

Keywords: aircraft fuel tax, tax revenue distribution, aviation funding, transportation, state revenue, 904, all

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and advanced Senate Bill 5989, which would redistribute sales tax revenue from aircraft fuel. Staff said the bill’s general fund impacts made it more appropriate for the Ways and Means Committee, and the committee voted to advance it there without recommendation. The rest of the meeting was a work session focused on transportation preservation. Transportation Secretary Julie Meredith reviewed WSDOT’s 2025 work and 2026 priorities, emphasizing safety, preservation, emergency response, and major projects such as Revive I-5, the I-90 Vantage Bridge, the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project, fish passage, and ferry service. She described significant system needs, including aging bridges, ferries, roads, and facilities, and said the governor’s supplemental budget would make a down payment on the preservation backlog. Members praised WSDOT’s work and asked about additional paving and preservation capacity in 2026. Washington State Ferries officials John Vizina and Jenna Forty focused on vessel and terminal preservation, noting the system’s 75th anniversary, improved service in 2025, and the aging fleet and terminal infrastructure. They said the governor’s budget proposes $1 billion for three additional hybrid-electric ferries and $150 million to extend the life of older vessels, and they discussed the Fauntleroy terminal replacement and the service contingency plan. Senators asked about the feasibility of diesel alternatives, the timeline for new vessels, and whether additional vessels would require rebidding. Representatives from the Association of Washington Cities, the Transportation Improvement Board, county engineers, and the County Road Administration Board then described local preservation needs. Cities and counties said their road, bridge, and sidewalk systems face large maintenance backlogs, rising costs, and storm damage from the December floods, with local agencies reporting significant repair costs and emergency response burdens. They urged sustained state and local revenue for preservation, noted that existing grant and preservation programs are oversubscribed, and emphasized that recent investments have improved pavement conditions where funding has been sustained.

Transcript Highlights:

• but I would say about 90% is replaced but I would say about 90% is actually<00:50:15.640><c> in</c><
• One that I love to talk about is our partnership with New Hampshire DOT helping with culvert issues.
• One that I love to talk about is our partnership with New Hampshire DOT helping with culvert issues.
• One that I love to talk about is our partnership with New Hampshire DOT helping with culvert issues.
• One that I love to talk about is our partnership with New Hampshire DOT helping with culvert issues.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• District Court injunction to remove state-owned culverts that block fish passage in the Puget Sound and
• I think this is a good bill to help with local utilities as we navigate the culvert redos that we have
• to do. ...as we navigate the culvert redos that we have to do.
• Whenever you get utility relocation, in the case of this bill for culverts or for any other purpose,
• Washington culverts decision in the case area, representing Puget Sound and the Chehalis Basin, a lot

Bills: SB5750, SB6148

Keywords: electric vehicles, charging fees, state facilities, sustainability, infrastructure, regional transit authority, RTA, transit bonds, general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, bond maturity, debt limit, 25-year cap, regional mobility grant program, public transit financing, transportation funding, Washington RCW, bond issuance, municipal finance, infrastructure finance

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held public hearings on several bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5690, the committee heard staff explain that WSDOT would be required to give utility owners advance notice of planned fish barrier removal projects and Dig Once projects, seek federal funding for utility relocation costs when available, and report back to the Legislature by December 15, 2026. Supporters, including the prime sponsor, sewer and water districts, PUDs, and a remote testifier, said the bill would help utilities plan for costly relocations and potentially reduce impacts on ratepayers. WSDOT said it supported the intent but raised concerns about the bill’s fiscal impact and whether federal funding for these costs is still available. The public hearing closed with testimony recorded as 46 in favor and none opposed. The committee then heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5746, which would create or continue an advisory process within the state’s EV Coordinating Council to address property crime affecting EV charging infrastructure. Staff said the bill is substantively the same as a version previously passed by the Senate, with technical updates, and would require recommendations, reporting, and limited confidentiality protections for proprietary information. The prime sponsor argued that vandalism and theft at charging stations undermine public infrastructure and that the bill would bring together relevant stakeholders. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with one recorded opponent. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 5750, which would authorize state facilities to charge privately owned electric vehicles a fee for electricity and deposit the revenue into the motor vehicle fund. The sponsor said the bill would make charging at state facilities fairer by recovering costs from private EV users, rather than providing free fuel. Staff noted the bill is permissive and that fiscal impacts and revenue would be indeterminate. The hearing closed with strong support and a small amount of opposition recorded. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6148, which would increase the maximum term for regional transit authority bonds from 40 years to 75 years, affecting Sound Transit. Supporters, including Sound Transit and transit advocates, said the longer term would align with federal financing rules, help manage cash flow, and accelerate delivery of long-lived infrastructure such as tunnels and bridges without raising taxes. Opponents argued the bill would increase long-term debt costs and shift burdens to future generations, and questioned Sound Transit’s financial management. The hearing closed with substantial pro and con testimony recorded, and the committee adjourned after the public hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• “Banning 6PPD without a viable replacement could jeopardize motorist safety, and we will not put tires
• And it really depends on the kind of replacement that we're talking about here because we're talking
• about replacing a chemical that is really related to the tire's longevity.
• Only to find that the replacements were actually more risky.
• Then you've got the culvert projects, with the wise guys thinking that 7 to 9% grades is going to spawn

Bills: HB2421, HB1652, HB2367, HB2284

Keywords: 6PPD, tires, environmental impact, public health, chemical regulation, HB1652, Salish Sea Protection and Marine Clean Fuels Act, marine fuel, low-sulfur fuel, sulfur emissions, ocean-going vessels, shipping, maritime pollution, air quality, particulate matter, Department of Ecology, port visit, regulated waters, fuel switching, vessel emissions

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several environmental bills. House Bill 2284, aimed at reducing litter, would remove a scheduled increase in plastic bag thickness, preserve penalties on thicker bags, and create a Litter Solutions Task Force. Supporters from business, retail, agriculture, and recycling groups said it takes a data-driven, collaborative approach and avoids higher consumer costs; Ecology said it supports removing the thickness increase but raised budget concerns and suggested adding more task force members. Opponents or cautions focused on implementation costs and the need to align with the state’s upcoming litter study. No vote was taken in the hearing. House Bill 1652 would require certain ocean-going vessels in Washington waters to use fuel with no more than 0.1% sulfur, with Ecology overseeing enforcement and a proposed substitute clarifying vessel coverage and recordkeeping. Supporters, including environmental, public health, port, and tribal voices, said the bill would reduce air pollution and toxic scrubber washwater that harms marine life and communities. Ports, shipping interests, and industry groups opposed or raised concerns, arguing the bill could effectively prohibit scrubbers, burden vessels and ports, and create compliance and economic issues. The hearing also included questions about whether cruise ships were already voluntarily avoiding scrubber discharges in Puget Sound. House Bill 2367 would end remaining coal-related exemptions by limiting cap-and-invest exemptions to pre-2026 emissions, removing limits on additional greenhouse gas regulation for the Centralia coal plant, and repealing coal sales and use tax exemptions. The sponsor and environmental groups said it would align state law with the planned coal phaseout and prevent any return to coal combustion after the plant’s retirement date. Business and petroleum representatives warned that if the plant were pulled into cap-and-invest, the allowance market could be affected and the program might need adjustment. The committee then heard House Bill 2421, which would ban 6PPD and regrettable substitutes in tires by 2035 and impose a 6PPD mitigation fee starting in 2027 to fund monitoring and cleanup. Supporters from salmon, city, tribal, youth, and environmental groups said 6PPD is a major cause of salmon mortality and that the fee would help fund mitigation; tire manufacturers, retailers, trucking, and business groups opposed the bill, arguing there is no proven alternative yet, the fee would raise costs, and the timeline could create safety and liability concerns. No votes were taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• replacement.
• “Banning 6PPD without a viable replacement could jeopardize motorist safety, and we will not put tires
• that we’re talking about here because we’re talking about replacing a chemical that is really related
• Only to find that the replacements were actually more risky.
• Then you've got the culvert projects with the wise guys thinking that 7 to 9% grades is going to spawn

Summary: The committee heard testimony on three main bills. House Bill 2284 on reducing litter would remove a scheduled increase in plastic bag thickness, preserve the existing penalty on thicker bags, and create a litter solutions task force to use existing data and recommend further actions. Supporters from business, retail, agriculture, food industry, and the Department of Ecology said the bill takes a data-driven approach and could help reduce litter without imposing a full bag ban, while Ecology noted it already has a statewide litter study underway and raised cost and membership concerns. Opponents and other commenters generally favored the bill’s direction but emphasized the need for more study and careful implementation. No vote was taken. House Bill 1652 would require certain ocean-going vessels in Washington waters to use fuel with no more than 0.1% sulfur, with recordkeeping, Ecology oversight, penalties, and a substitute clarifying vessel coverage and exemptions. The prime sponsor and environmental and public health advocates said the bill would reduce air and water pollution from scrubbers and protect the Salish Sea, orcas, salmon, and nearby communities. Ports, shipping interests, and industry groups raised concerns that the bill could effectively discourage scrubbers, create burdens for irregular callers and cargo traffic, and affect port competitiveness, while some said the bill should be narrowed or further stakeholdered. The hearing also included discussion of a proposed substitute and possible impacts on vessels and port operations. House Bill 2367 would end special coal-related exemptions by limiting the cap-and-invest exemption to pre-2026 emissions, removing limits on additional greenhouse gas regulation for the coal plant, and repealing coal sales and use tax exemptions. Supporters said the bill would align state law with the planned closure of the Centralia coal plant, reinforce Washington’s climate policies, and remove outdated carve-outs. Business and petroleum representatives warned that if the plant were brought back into the cap-and-invest program, the allowance market could be affected and Ecology might need flexibility to adjust the program. The committee heard extensive testimony on all three bills but took no recorded votes or final action in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is one-time funding for a consulting service as RIO begins the process of replacing the current
• They've got to survey the roads, inspect washed-out culverts, check out damaged road signs, and look
• They've got to server the roads, inspect washed out culverts, check out damaged road signs, and look
• They got to survey the roads, inspect washed out culverts, check out damaged road signs, and look for
• of the bill repeals the voluntary application standard to operate in North Dakota that is being replaced

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, pledge, roll call, and a quorum present, then approved a motion to lay over House Bill 1525 for one legislative day. It also voted not to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2294, 2297, 2070, 4017, and 2262, appointing conference committees for each. The chamber then took up a series of House bill amendments and final-passage votes. On amendments, the Senate adopted changes to House Bill 1229 on fleeing law enforcement and driving-record transparency after debate over insurance impacts and public safety; House Bill 1510 on teacher retention, on-site child care, and licensure study language; House Bill 1160 to restrict student personal electronic devices during instructional time; House Bill 1429 to address drone harassment and stalking of animals; House Bill 1203 to harmonize medical marijuana provisions; House Bill 1600 to create a UND immigration clinic with reporting requirements; House Bill 1130 to broaden K-12 funding formula changes and reduce state fiscal impact; House Bill 1279 to modify the coal conversion tax exemption; House Bill 1442 to adjust membership and scope of a state task force; and House Bill 1464 to convert a maternal care services proposal into a study and remove the appropriation. The Senate rejected an amendment to House Bill 1022 concerning the Retirement and Investment Office bonus program, then passed the bill. It also passed House Bill 1234 on a $90 million transfer to reduce PERS liability, while rejecting a floor amendment to it. On final passage, the Senate passed House Bills 1008 (Public Service Commission budget), 1218 (temporary moratorium and study on economic analysis for drain projects), 1234 (PERS funding transfer), 1146 (PERS defined contribution cleanup and emergency clause), 1355 (expanded notice for administrative rulemaking), 1470 (Game and Fish fee changes and guide/outfitter updates), 1029 (Capital Grounds Planning Commission duties), 1017 (Game and Fish budget), 1374 (township supervisor open-meeting exemption for on-site inspections), and 1064 (NC-SARA membership and distance education regulation). It defeated House Bill 1583 on false political advertisements with civil-action language and House Bill 1393 on earned wage access provider regulation. The transcript ends as the Senate begins consideration of House Bill 1326 on self-defense and unlawful firearm possession by felons.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, they all have box culverts as temporary bridges.
• working on different areas of the Upper Canyon, Perk Canyon through FEMA, and they're doing design on culvert
• replacement and roadways.
• 26 for Tulegan County, where we have some drainage improvements bringing in bigger concrete box culverts

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have several bridges and culverts that will need to be extended, so we'll be doing bridge work
• Yeah, you mentioned this does not replace previous names.
• ...not replace previous names.
• With that said, Replice, that is our understanding that it would replace his name. Mr.
• it. ...to honor him, to replace it.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy Arizona Department of Transportation presentation on major corridor projects, beginning with Interstate 11. ADOT Director Jennifer Toth said the entire 280-mile I-11 corridor from Nogales to the Nevada line is covered by a federal lawsuit, which has paused Tier 2 work pending a Tier 1 reevaluation and public comment period expected later this year and into early 2027. Members asked whether the northern segment could move forward separately; ADOT said the lawsuit covers the full corridor and that segmentation would likely add time and cost. The committee also heard updates on SR 347 and the I-10 Wild Horse Pass corridor, including widening, interchange reconstructions, grade separations, and traffic-management improvements, with members raising concerns about congestion, signal timing, construction hours, signage, and safety. ADOT also presented the West Kingman I-40/US 93 project, a $106.5 million free-flow ramp project that is about 60% complete and expected to finish in early 2027; members discussed temporary traffic controls near Beale Street and the need for better access and safety in the area. The committee then moved to a mass hearing on the Regional Transportation Advocacy Council (RTAC) bill, House Bill 2304, which appropriates about $473 million for a list of rural and small-metro highway projects. Testimony came from regional planning organizations, county officials, mayors, and city staff supporting projects in Apache Junction, Show Low, Chino Valley, Sedona, Eloy, Coolidge, Casa Grande, Lake Havasu City, Clarkdale, San Luis, and Yavapai County. Speakers described projects such as road widenings, bypasses, bridge and interchange improvements, flood and evacuation routes, freight access, and safety upgrades, often emphasizing local matching funds, shovel-ready status, and economic development benefits. Committee members frequently asked about traffic flow, emergency access, and project design details, while the chair reminded witnesses that support in the budget would still depend on members advocating for the projects during budget negotiations. No final vote on the RTAC bill or the individual project bills was taken in the portion provided, but the chair announced a mass-motion approach: members and witnesses would be allowed to speak briefly on each project, after which the committee would vote on the package together. The meeting also included brief staff explanations of several individual appropriation bills, including funding for Apache Junction, the Wolford Road extension in Show Low, Ray Lane in Graham County, SR 89 widening in Chino Valley, and Sedona roadway and roundabout-related improvements.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's $20 million that's no longer available for CERA funds because that could be used for replacing
• culverts upstream.
• That's no longer available for CERA funds because that could be used for replacing culverts upstream.

Bills: HB2588, HB2722, HB2727

Keywords: county ferry district, ferry district, passenger-only ferry, passenger ferry, Puget Sound, Vashon, Seattle, Southworth, county transportation, local taxing authority, property tax levy, general obligation bonds, municipal corporation, public transportation benefit area, WTSC, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, ferry terminal, wharf, shuttle service, marine transportation

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on Substitute House Bill 2251, which would restructure Climate Commitment Act accounts and change how cap-and-invest auction revenue is distributed. Staff explained that the bill would create new operating and capital accounts, repeal several existing accounts, and shift revenue to a percentage-based formula that caps funding for the carbon emissions reduction account at $359 million while directing set percentages to the new accounts and the air quality and health disparities account. Members asked about the fiscal note, the effect on transportation funding, and whether the bill would change allowable uses of the CERA account; staff said it would not. Testimony was largely supportive, with proponents saying the bill adds clarity and stability, while tribal testimony urged clearer protection and accounting for the 10% tribal set-aside and carryover of unused funds. The hearing then moved to House Bill 2588, which would allow county ferry districts to operate and finance vehicle ferries, not just passenger-only ferries. County officials, ferry users, and advocates supported the bill as a local funding tool for aging ferry systems in Whatcom, Pierce, Skagit, and Wahkiakum counties, and said it would not itself raise taxes. The committee then heard House Bill 2722, which would raise the maximum vehicle weight subject to transportation benefit district vehicle fees from 6,000 pounds to 10,000 pounds; staff estimated the change could raise about 3% more revenue statewide, and the sponsor and supporters argued it would better reflect modern vehicle weights and road wear, while trucking interests said they could support a 9,000-pound compromise threshold. The final public hearing was on House Bill 2727, creating an Educational Transit Access Grant Program for transit agencies and community and technical colleges to pilot free or reduced fares for students; supporters said it would improve affordability and access to education, and the sponsor said an amendment may add inclusive post-secondary programs. After the hearings, the committee took executive action on a second substitute for House Bill 1923, which expands who can form passenger-only ferry service districts and where they can be formed, adds intent language about southern resident orcas, and changes the effective date to July 1, 2026. The substitute passed 23-4 with two excused, receiving a do pass recommendation.